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Specialist team

There are a variety of different specialists involved with scleroderma. Some specialise in specific symptoms, others look at the body as a whole. Find out about the doctors and nurses you may see, depending on your symptoms.

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There may be many people in your specialist team but you might generally see only one doctor. Whomever you see, it is important to let them know what has changed since your last appointment.

Tell your doctor

Changes in your symptoms.

Changes in how active you are able to be.

The effects of any medications you have been taking.

Changes in your lifestyle.

Healthcare specialists

The following is a list of some of the healthcare professionals who might be involved in your care:

Specialises in the heart and blood vessels. They will look at any echocardiograms (ECG) or heart scans that you might have. They might be involved in your care if you have high blood pressure in your lungs (pulmonary arterial hypertension) or systemic high blood pressure (hypertension) related to your kidneys.

Specialises in the teeth and gums. The dentist might be the person you see if you have symptoms like dry mouth, mouth ulcers or pain in the jaw.

Specialises in skin conditions. If you have obvious skin symptoms they might be one of the first specialists you see.

As with many chronic diseases, it’s important to look after yourself. It might be possible for you to visit a dietitian if you are having problems with your digestive system or you have a sensitive stomach.

Specialises in problems with the digestive system (mouth, stomach and gut). You might see this type of doctor if you experience symptoms in your mouth, stomach or gut that need further investigation.

The general practitioner or family doctor may have been the first doctor you spoke with when you had your first symptoms. They may also be the first point of call when new symptoms arise or if you need information about medications or other health concerns you have (known as comorbidities).

Specialises in women’s reproductive organs and helps to manage fertility, pregnancy and childbirth, and hormone disorders. You might see this type of doctor if you’re having problems with your sexual health, such as vaginal dryness.

Specialises in your body’s defences—the immune system. This can be for symptoms all over your body, but there might be a focus on your blood test results, as these tell the doctor a lot about how active your immune system is and what it is fighting.

The internal medicine specialist is a general hospital specialist who treats all sorts of conditions which don’t require surgery. They may act as your general doctor for your scleroderma, sending you to more specialist doctors depending on the symptoms you have.

These doctors are specialists in the brain and nerves. Some people with scleroderma might visit these doctors about treatment for severe Raynaud’s phenomenon or other problems with pain or movement. They might also investigate some of your symptoms to see if they are also caused by scleroderma.

Nurses can help you with a range of symptoms. They can be a valuable source of practical advice on day-to-day living, medications and health tips. They might also help arrange some of your treatments or tests.

A podiatrist looks after the health of people's feet and lower limbs. You might not need a podiatrist, but it’s good to know they are there to help manage any symptoms that may arise in your feet and ankles.

The physiotherapist can give you exercises and tips to help you maintain mobility and independence, as required. Their focus is on the body as a whole and they can help restore movement while also helping to reduce your risk of future injury.

Specialises in the lungs and are experts in diagnosing, monitoring and treating diseases of the lungs. They will monitor your lungs and might order scans and other tests to check how your lungs are working.

Deals with joints, muscles and connective tissue diseases. Because scleroderma is a disease of the connective tissue, you might spend a lot of time working together with a rheumatologist.

Specialises in the kidneys, bladder and urinary-tract system of both men and women. They will be able to investigate any symptoms you have related to your kidneys, such as pain or issues when urinating. Urologists also specialise in men’s reproductive organs and sexual problems. A man would consult this sort of doctor for help with erectile dysfunction.

Making the most of your appointment

Your medical team can give you lots of support, valuable information and advice. This section will help you plan what to say and what to ask at each appointment, so that you can make the most of your time.

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